- Title: The Rector's Wife
- Date: 17th March 1994
- Summary: Although Anna Bouverie (Lindsay Duncan) has gone to Oxford to escape her own domestic traumas, she finds herself having to provide a crutch for her old friend Eleanor (Pam Ferris) who admits to her that the pressure of fame as a successful writer has strained her family life to the limits. Any hope Anna had of finding solace in Oxford soon evaporates. On returning home, Anna is met at the railway station by Patrick O'Sullivan (Miles Anderson). He informs her that he has offered his services to a parish support group that has been set up in her absence. To her horror she finds out exactly what the group has been up to the moment she passes the threshold of the new rectory. What usually passes for barely controlled domestic chaos has been replaced by pristine rectitude, with gleaming surfaces and plumped-up cusions. Anna cannot contain her fury when within minutes of arriving home she is visited by Elaine Dodswell (Madge Hindle) one of the group who had devoted her time to spring cleaning the house. Elaine is left in no doubt about what Anna thinks of this level of interference. Having no-one else to turn to, Anna seeks the comfort and wisdom of Daniel Byrne (Ronald Pickup), the new archdeacon. Daniel's willingness to listen and advice helps to sooth Anna and her mind is further removed from the affairs of parish life when they are joined by Jonathan (Stephen Dillane), Daniel's brother. Ann's dilemma is heightened when Patrick O'Sullivan again invites her in for a drink only to make a clumsy attempt at seducing her. His housekeeper, Ella (Rynagh O'Grady), overhears the confrontation. What Anna fails to realise is the effect of recent events on her son Luke (Simon Fenton). Desperate to find an escape from the tensions of home life he takes advantage of the welcoming arms of a promiscuous young teenager, Alison (Isobel Raine). However, he fails to impress her with his sexual prowess and is further humiliated. In a state of emotional turmoil, Luke contronts Patrick and accuses him of having an affair with his mother. Patrick's calm response only exacerbates Luke's insecurity and it is not until Isobel Thompson (Gabrielle Lloyd), the deaconess, discovers him in tears sitting in the graveyard that he is offered a sympathetic hearing. The only beam of light in Anna's life is provided by Jonathan. She realises that as her old world seems to be falling apart Jonathan is offering something new and fresh. They both admit their love of each other and consummate that love in Daniel's house. When Isobel informs Anna of her conversation with Luke she takes immediate action to reassure him there really is nothing going on between her and Patrick. When she is approached by Patrick the following day she cannot contain her anger that his absurd, predatory behaviour has so upset her son. They are seen together by Trish Pardoe (Helen Fraser) as she drives past in her car but she interprets the intensity of the situation in the wrong way and is convinced that the two of them must be having an affair. When Trish confides in Ella, Ella admits that she has been aware of Patrick's obsession with Anna for some time. Peter Bouverie (Jonathan Coy) discovers from one of his parishioners that his daughter, Flora (Lucy Dawson), has in fact got a free place at St Saviours school and therefore there seems no need for Anna to continue with her job at the supermarket. Without consulting her he informs the manager (Jonty Stephens) that she will be leaving. When Peter tells Anna of what he has done she can hardly believe it. It is the last straw. Jonathan decides to tell his brother, Daniel, that he is in love with Anna. Daniel admits that he already knew and warns Jonathan that Peter Bouverie is a sick man. Meanwhile, Ella has decided the time has come to tell Peter what she thinks is going on between Patrick and Anna.
- Description:For twenty years Anna Bouverie has been the dutiful wife of a priest,submergingher will for the sake of the parish,until pressures at home force her to behavein a very unexpected and shocking way.
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Documentary and Factual
- Producer:TALISMAN FILMS LTD
- Programme Episode:Episode 3
- Transmission Date:17/03/1994
- Rights:On Request
- Decade: 1990s